PATIENTS in Darwen received a long-awaited health boost after a life-saving piece of equipment finally arrived in the town.

The mobile electrocardiogram unit which can help monitor heart problems was presented to staff at Darwen Health Centre by parents Irene Wickers and Granville Staff, whose sons both died from undetected heart conditions.

Irene and Granville set up the Neil Wickers and David Staff memorial fund as a tribute to their children and managed to raise the £8,000 to buy the equipment, which had until now been stored in Irene's attic.

Dorothy Flanagan, practice nurse at the centre, was delighted at the machine's arrival and said: "Seven staff at Darwen Health Centre are to be trained in the use of this machine."